Royal Ulster Academy’s 145th Annual Exhibition

Occupying the sixth-floor galleries of the Ulster Museum, the exhibition covers a wide array of disciplines including ceramics, drawing, original prints, and contemporary craft. The event serves as a critical platform for the Northern Irish art community, allowing artists to exhibit their work to a large public audience while providing opportunities for sales and professional recognition. This year's exhibition features artists such as Andrew Gifford, Martha Still, and newly elected Academicians Alana Barton and Stuart Marshall.

For this edition, Caroline Campbell, director of the National Gallery of Ireland, serves as the guest adjudicator for the primary awards. These include the Gold Medal for best work by an Academician, the Silver Medal for an Associate Academician, and a dedicated prize for open submission entries. Visitors can engage with the collection through new digital tools that provide artist backgrounds and catalogue details directly on their mobile devices.

The event maintains a strong focus on community engagement through its extensive education programme, which typically supports thousands of students via guided visits and workshops. The 145th exhibition marks the first led by RUA President Peter Richards, continuing the Academy's tradition of fostering artistic talent and providing a serious platform for artists at all career stages.